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(No Model.) 4

F. SPANNUTH.

RT TNNBR FOR UMBRELLAS OR PARASOL S. No. 379,786. Patented Mar. 20, 1888.

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ATTOR/V rs.

NlTE. STATES PATENT Erica.

FRANZ SPANNUTH, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

RUNNER FOR UMBRELLAS OR PARASOLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,736, dated March 20, 1888.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANZ SPANNUTH, of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Iniprovementsin Runners for Umbrellas and Parasols, of which the following isa specifioa-tion- The wire springs at present in use in the sticks of umbrellas or parasols for locking the runner are objectionable, inasmuch as they get easily out of order by working loosein the stick and dropping out, and as they weaken the stick at two points, which latter causes the frequent breaking of the stick at the recessed points. These objections are obviated by my improved runner for umbrellas or parasols, which consists of a sleeve, a clamping-plate guided in a casing of said sleeve, a threaded sleeve turning loosely on the shank of the clamping-plate and engaging an interiorly-threaded boss or socket of the casing, and a lever attached to the threaded sleeve, so that by turning the lever in one or the opposite direction the clamping-plate and runner are either rigidly applied to the stick or released therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of my improved runner. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical central sections of the same, showing the runner respectively in a position as clamped to and released from the stick; and Figs. 5 and 6 are partial horizontal sections on lines or m and g 3 Figs. 3 and 4.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, a is the runner, which is provided at one side with an elongated casing, f, that is made integral with the runner and which serves for the reception of the clamping-plate I). The clamping-plate b is provided with a shank, c. which passes centrally through an eXteriorly-threaded sleeve, (1, said sleeve being retained on the shank c by an enlarged head, 0, and an intermediate washer, 0, so that the sleeve can turn readily on the shank 0, but without getting detached therefrom. To the head of the sleeve (2 is applied a lever e, which is screwed into the same and which serves for turning the sleeve d. If desired, a second lever, 6, may be attached to the head of the sleeve d, said lever being preferably arranged at right angles to the first lever, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The eXteriorly-threaded sleeve d engages an interiorly-threaded boss or socket, f, of the casing f, so that by turning the lever e and sleeve d the latter screws into the boss or socketf, and presses thereby the clampingplateb tightly against the stick of the umbrella or parasol. The plate I) is curved according to the curvature of the stick and clamps the latter firmly when pressed thereon. In this position of the clamping-plate b the lever e is parallel to the axis of the stick.

If it is desired to open or close the umbrella or parasol, the runner has to be released therefrom, which is accomplished by moving the lever e through an angle of ninety degrees, so that it assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Fig 1 and in full lines in Fig. 6. By this motion the threadedsleeve d is unscrewed from the socket or boss f and causes the receding of the clamping-plate b, owing to its connection by the shank c and head 0 with the sleeve d. The casing f serves to guide the clamping-plate b so that it moves parallel toward and away from the stick, and is prevented from turning on the axis of the shank c. The pitch of the threaded sleeve (Z is so arranged that a quadrantal turn of the lever is sufficient to apply the clamping-plate to or release the same from the stick. \Vhen the clamping-plate is in the released position, it bears against the outer wall of the casingf, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, so that the runner can freely move on the stick.

The face of the clamping-plate may be either smooth or roughened by means of teeth or ribs, or provided with some suitable frictional facing by which the clamping action of the plate is increased. The clamping-plate secures, when applied to the stick, the rigid attachment of the runner, while exerting no friction on the same when released, so that no scratching of the stick takes place.

The entire clamping device is small, readily operated, and very reliable in action, being superior to the wire springs heretofore employed for locking the runners of umbrellas or parasols.

' Having thus described my invention,I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination of a runner having a raised casing provided with an interiorlythreaded socket or boss, a clampingplate in said casing, said plate having a headed shank,

an eXteriorly-threaded sleeve turning loosely I on said shank and engaging said socket or boss, and a lever attached to said sleeve, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a runner having an elongated casing provided with an interiorlythreaded socket or boss, a clampingplate 

